One of the surprising things to see at the 2009 Goodguys Nats was the number of vintage Chevy wagons in the show. From supertanker-size Impala cruisers to the oddball Corvair wagon, the original SUVs were out in full force. People today think a Suburban is big; this '59 wagon is nearly as long.

Popular at the Goodguys events are the Air Ride Technologies-sponsored autocross challenges, where man and machine can test...

...their handling, braking, and driving prowess. Contestants for the Street Machine of the Year award took to the course to show their cars were more than just eye candy. Top...

...dog in the autocross for 2009's event was Phil Gerber in the Roadster Shop-built '62 Corvette owned by Barry Bloomquist, eventual...

...winner of the 2009 Street Machine of the Year award (see pages 70 and 82 for photos).

On Saturday Mother Nature decided the event was getting out of hand and let loose a deluge that threatened to wash everyone away. But it couldn't dampen the spirits of those at the show. Fortunately there were enough covered areas filled with cars and exhibitors to provide dry entertainment until the monsoon ended.

Yeah, they're not the prettiest at the show, but patina-laden road veterans like this can't help but catch the eye and pique your curiosity a little. This well worn '57 four-door Bel Air sedan still sported its original Dusk Pearl/White paint, but probably 100 pounds less steel thanks to the active weight reduction being performed by the rust slowly consuming the car.

Here's another rusty road warrior showing off for the crowd. With the '40s and '50s cars becoming scarce and/or expensive, more rat rodders seem to be turning to early '60s cars. Think twice next time you pass up a full-size Chevy that looks too rusty for fun.

We're not sure if Big Bird drove this ghost-flamed '71 Chevelle to the event, but under gloomy skies the bright yellow paint was like a road flare in the dark. Dig the heavily sculpted intake scoop that makes sure all the cold air coming from the hood gets fed into the big-block.

A great variety of Impalas, Bel Airs, Caprices, and Biscaynes were at the show. From mild to wild, a lot of people are still hot for full size Chevys.

This mint six-cylinder equipped '65 Bel Air was up for sale at the show. A car like this screams for either a modern LS-power heart transplant or maybe a classic W-motor between the fenders. Either way, mount it to a stick for dishing out some street terror to hair-gelled ricers!

More wagons! I was amazed out how many '61 Chevys were at the show. Wagons, two-doors, four-doors,...

...Impalas, Bel Airs, Biscaynes, they were every where. I didn't think that many '61s were still around!

I think this '66 wagon is bigger than my first apartment. It's neat watching footage from old races like the NHRA Nationals where wagons like these would tow a racecar to the track, then serve as the racer's mobile shop/motel room/office.

Definitely a rare one here, this '61 Corvair Lakewood station wagon was sitting out in the rain when the...

...monsoon started. With its rear mount flat-six engine, this thing has gotta be fun to drive.

The 2009 Goodguys Street Machine of the Year award, one of the most well respected awards for a car builder, was given to Phil Gerber/The...

...Roadster Shop and car owner Barry Bloomquist for their mind blowing '62 Corvette restomod. Top to bottom, there wasn't one thing about...

...this car that didn't amaze. With a Formula 1 racing influence, this car talked the talk and walked the walk when it came to appearance...

...and performance. A work of art inside and out, this car definitely raises the bar for future car builds.